The Nation Newspaper

Tag: tournament

  • We will beat England — Dike

    We will beat England — Dike

    Nigeria striker, Courtney Dike, who scored the fastest goal in the history of the FIFA U-20 Women World has declared that the Falconets will get a victory against England in their last Group game.

    The win against South Korea was crucial, because everything was very tight after the draws on the opening matchday, Dike told FIFA.com.

    In our next game against England, I’m expecting the team to fight just as hard. I’m convinced that, if we play as well as we did today, we’ll win again.

    Dike, who is ecstatic after the ‘wonder goal’ went on to declare her optimism of doing more at the tournament.

    This gives me loads of confidence, said the forward, now I’m just hoping to keep playing and keep improving alongside the rest of the team. I’m very happy to be here and I hope we can go a long way.

    Nigeria will play England in Edmonton, needing only a point to qualify for the Quarter Finals.

  • CCSF International Taekwondo tournament postponed

    CCSF International Taekwondo tournament postponed

    The organisers of the annual Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) International Taekwondo Tournament have postponed the staging of the third edition of the championship following the outbreak of Ebola disease across the West Africa region.

    In a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Founder of CCSF, Chika Chukwumerije, the tournament has been postponed until further notice.

    “In recent weeks, a new challenge in the form of the Ebola epidemic in the West Africa region has struck a fearful chord across the nation, as attempts have been stepped up by the relevant authorities to confront this danger on Nigeria’s shores,” Chukwumerije said.

    The three time Olympian added: “The 2013 CCSF Opens had 320 athletes in attendance from eight countries, 24 Nigerian Sates, six universities, seven clubs, the Nigeria Police, Armed Forces and para-military. In addition, there was an overall influx of 1,200 persons over the two-day event. The 2014 edition is expected to be even bigger, with 11 countries (nine from West Africa) expected to be in attendance, and an audience of 1,500 over the two-day event (including 200 school children from 10 schools in FCT Abuja).

    “The best case scenario of tackling the viral spread is projected by some experts to be in the range of three – six months, during which the CCSF Opens is scheduled to take place. In light of the slim chance of providing an ideal environment for a highly unlikely scenario of an Ebola viral spread, organisers of the CCSF Opens have decided to err on the side of caution and postpone Nigeria’s best Taekwondo tournament till further notice. We would carefully watch the turn of events over the coming weeks and months before announcing a new date.

     

  • INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT: Sportlights storm Burkina Faso today

    INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT: Sportlights storm Burkina Faso today

    Players and officials of Sportlights of Katsina will leave the shores of the country for Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso today ahead of the eight team invitational tournament.

    The Team’s Coordinator, Ayuba Umar told SportingLife that the club will use the five-day tournament to prepare for the Nigeria National League (NNL) campaign next season.

    Katsina State Commissioner for Sports, Aminu Ibrahim Safana addressed the players after their training session on Friday, charging them to do their best in the tournament.

    “I want you to be good ambassadors of this country when you are in Burkina Faso. As I have always told you the state government is solidly behind the club and we will continue to provide all the necessary things that will make you comfortable. The competition is an opportunity for you to prepare for the coming season and use it well,” Safana said.

    Sportlights of Nigeria have been drawn in the same group alongside Niger, Ghana and Burkina Faso.

  • Benin monarch declares Oba Ovonramwen Soccer Tournament open

    Benin monarch declares Oba Ovonramwen Soccer Tournament open

    The centenary soccer tournament of Oba Ovonramwen was officially declared opened on Sunday by the Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa.

    The Oba Ovonramwen Soccer Tournament is part of activities lined up for the centenary celebration of Oba Ovonramwen N’Ogbaisi which has been scheduled for between January 13 to 18, 2014. The centenary celebration is being sponsored by the Solomon Edebiri Centre for Change in collaboration with the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

    The Oba, who was represented at the Opening Ceremony by the former chairman, Nigeria Premier League board, Oyuki Obaseki, made a case for the revival of school sports festivals across the country.

    The Oba said revival of school sports festivals would provide a platform for raw talents to be harnessed for various sporting activities in the country. While commending the organisers, he said the soccer tournament was an avenue for young talents to be discovered.

    He urged the participating teams to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship during the tournament.

    He noted that the one time Oba of Benin, Ovonramwen was known for his sport prowess, and so, he hoped that the best team emerges victorious.

    The tournament’s director, Ikpomwosa Edebiri said the tournament would be played in accordance with FIFA rules.

    He also disclosed that the winner of the tournament goes home with N100, 000 cash prize and a giant trophy.

    The tournament which involves six teams from the three senatorial districts of the state would be played in a league format with the best two playing the finals scheduled for January 14, 2014.

    In Sunday’s opening ceremony match, Palace FC defeated the BJ foundation FC by one goal to nil.

  • We got Eagles’ AFCON funds 48 hours to tournament — NFF

    We got Eagles’ AFCON funds 48 hours to tournament — NFF

    The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) revealed on Wednesday that it got the funds for Super Eagles’ participation in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa only two days to the tournament.

    Mr Emeka Inyama, a board member and Chairman of the NFA Media and Publicity Committee, disclosed this in Abuja in an interview.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that about N1.4 billion was released by the Federal Government for the Super Eagles’ participation in the tournament but the money was released in bits to the NFA by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

    According to Inyama, the team were supposed to have received the money two months before the tournament.

    “People may be celebrating the Super Eagles’ today but the team only got money 48 hours to the competition.

    “These monies were supposed to have come one or two months to the time to help them prepare for the competition.

    “Nobody cares to know how the federation borrowed and financed the team’s camping, paid players match bonuses and hotel bills before the tournament.

    “However, the federation is doing all it can to ensure that, despite the paucity of funds, football is taken to the next level in Nigeria,’’ he said.

    Inyama’s revelation comes after the NFA was criticised by some Nigerians for its poor handling and lack of trust in the Stephen Keshi-led Super Eagles.

    He said it was pertinent for Nigerians to know how the FA sources its funds and would be glad if the FG could come to their aid.

    “The resources of the FA cannot accommodate, at a time, the almost nine national teams that we cater for.

    “What the government provides for football is inadequate for things to be done; that is why sometimes we owe the coaches.

    “A situation where you have N1.8 billion from government and maybe another N1 billion from sponsors, making it N2.8 billion and the budget of the FA is over N4 billion given the number of teams, definitely it must run on deficit,’’ Inyama added.

    He, however, confirmed that in spite of the shortage of funds, the FA had released N6 million to John Obuh, the Flying Eagles’ coach, as part payment of backlog of salaries owed him by the football house.

    The NFA board member gave assurance that the balance of the money would be paid to the coach when he returned from the U-20 Africa Youth Championship (AYC) beginning on March 16 in Algeria.

  • CAF picks 2013 tournament song

    CAF picks 2013 tournament song

    THE AFRICA Football Confederation (CAF) has picked the song ‘Sela-Sela’ (Dance Together) by the international artists Wes Madiko and Zahra Universe as the official song of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations, tagged South Africa 2013.

    The U.S. media company On-Spot Enterprises, through its record label Arusa Music Entertainment, will handle all the various steps until the release of the single, a local PR firm told the press on Saturday.

    “It is our goal to make the official song of the Africa Football Cup of Nations be heard around the world to share in the challenges, triumphs, and spirit of community that comes with the sport of football. And especially in this, the largest tournament of football on the African continent,” says Rod On Jr, Chief Executive Officer and president of On-Spot Enterprises.

    The song, ‘Sela-Sela’, has lyrics in English and Bantu and talks about the celebration and joy among all people, breaking down barriers that would hinder peace and unity.

    It is a mix of many genres including pop, electro-house, dance, R&B, and African, making it very appealing to a wide range of listeners worldwide.

    The continental tournament kicks off Jan. 19, with an opening match between host South Africa and Cape Verde.